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Spy on Others (Regular People) - it makes us safer. Spy on me (Rich Senator who is becoming richer) - it is an OUTRAGE! These congress critters really need to

Spy on Others (Regular People) - it makes us safer. Spy on me (Rich Senator who is becoming richer) - it is an OUTRAGE! These congress critters really need to be a bit more nuanced in their double standards. This is the same person that publicly accused Ed Snowden of Treason [1]. So when we got to know about Large scale spying on the entire American Public for NO Reason - the person who told us about it is a traitor. When they learned about a SPECIFIC case of spying on their staffers there is sudden (manufactured) outrage? I think she senses the public mood & is trying to use this issue to slink back into "of the people by the people" mode. Real Slimy. [1] http://thehill.com/blogs/defcon-hill/policy-and-strategy/304573-sen-feinstein-snowdens-leaks-are-treason http://thehill.com/blogs/defcon-hill/policy-and-strategy/304...

trevoragilbert 13y ago
The "of the people by the people" mode tends to happen during election years, so a bit surprising that she's speaking like this now.
JamisonM 13y ago
I agree with the sentiment but I also recognize that there is a difference between the CIA/NSA spying on citizens and doing the same to congress in a possible effort to directly influence the laws and regulations that govern their behaviour. I do not think that the outrage is "manufactured" because I think it is genuine, the smarter among the Senate that support the surveillance state at least understand the principles involved here.
- bmelton 13y ago
  What rights do our legislators have that the citizenry does not?
  - nickff 13y ago
    Here is one: Article I, Section 6, Clause 1 of the Constitution of the United States of America: "The Senators and Representatives...shall in all Cases, except Treason, Felony, and Breach of the Peace, be privileged from Arrest during their Attendance at the Session of their respective Houses, and in going to and returning from the same...."
  - unclebucknasty 13y ago
    I think what he's saying is that Congress is tasked with overseeing these guys and ensuring that they comply with the law. So, to the extent that Feinstein actually believed the garbage she previously spewed in support of the NSA's activity--including that appropriate oversight would protect the rights of Americans--then it takes on a different meaning when these agencies attempt to circumvent their oversight. Of course, it's a flawed premise from the start, even if Feinstein were earnest. When she effectively shat all over the Fourth and bade Congress take on the role of a secret judiciary in interpreting the Constitution, she opened the door to exactly this type of behavior. It's pretty amazing to watch someone play with snakes then complain so loudly once bitten.
dllthomas 13y ago
Spying on oversight committees is worse than spying on typical Americans for the same reason that spying on typical Americans is worse than spying on foreigners - it is a more direct threat to mechanisms that could keep powers in check. This being "more wrong" doesn't make the other stuff "not wrong", though.

trevoragilbert 13y ago

The "of the people by the people" mode tends to happen during election years, so a bit surprising that she's speaking like this now.

JamisonM 13y ago

I agree with the sentiment but I also recognize that there is a difference between the CIA/NSA spying on citizens and doing the same to congress in a possible effort to directly influence the laws and regulations that govern their behaviour. I do not think that the outrage is "manufactured" because I think it is genuine, the smarter among the Senate that support the surveillance state at least understand the principles involved here.

bmelton 13y ago
What rights do our legislators have that the citizenry does not?
- nickff 13y ago
  Here is one: Article I, Section 6, Clause 1 of the Constitution of the United States of America: "The Senators and Representatives...shall in all Cases, except Treason, Felony, and Breach of the Peace, be privileged from Arrest during their Attendance at the Session of their respective Houses, and in going to and returning from the same...."
- unclebucknasty 13y ago
  I think what he's saying is that Congress is tasked with overseeing these guys and ensuring that they comply with the law. So, to the extent that Feinstein actually believed the garbage she previously spewed in support of the NSA's activity--including that appropriate oversight would protect the rights of Americans--then it takes on a different meaning when these agencies attempt to circumvent their oversight. Of course, it's a flawed premise from the start, even if Feinstein were earnest. When she effectively shat all over the Fourth and bade Congress take on the role of a secret judiciary in interpreting the Constitution, she opened the door to exactly this type of behavior. It's pretty amazing to watch someone play with snakes then complain so loudly once bitten.

dllthomas 13y ago

Spying on oversight committees is worse than spying on typical Americans for the same reason that spying on typical Americans is worse than spying on foreigners - it is a more direct threat to mechanisms that could keep powers in check. This being "more wrong" doesn't make the other stuff "not wrong", though.